Seat assembly

ABSTRACT

An automobile seat assembly is provided with a latch mechanism to lock the seat back in the uprignt, seat forming position. The seat back includes a latching arm engaging a pin carried by a mounting bracket in a slot having an elongated portion and an end portion generally transverse to the elongated portion. The seat back is locked in the upright, seat forming position when the pin is in the end portion of the slot and misaligned with the elongated portion. When a vehicle door is opened, a solenoid connected to the pin is energized and the pin is aligned with the elongated portion of the slot to unlock the seat back. As an alternative, a manually operated release lever can be actuated to align the pin with the elongated portion of the slot to unlock the seat back.

United States Patent [1 1 Perkins [451 Sept. 4, 1973 SEAT ASSEMBLYJimmie G. Perkins, Allentown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: McCord Corporation, Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 236,291

[75] Inventor:

Riester 296/65 R Primary Examiner-Casrnir A. Nunbe rg [5 7 I ABSTRACT Anautomobile seat assembly is provided with a latch mechanism to lock theseat back in the uprignt, seat forming position. The seat back includesa latching arm engaging a pin carried by a mounting bracket in a slothaving an elongated portion and an end portion generallytransverse tothe elongated portion. The seat back is locked in the upright, seatforming position when the pin is in the end portion of the slot andmisaligned with the elongated portion. When a vehicle door is opened, asolenoid connected to the pin is energized and the pin is aligned withthe elongated portion of the slot to unlock the seat back. As analternative, a manually operated release lever can be actuated to alignthe pin with the elongated portion of the slot to unlock the seat back.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SEAT ASSEMBLY This invention relates to alatch for a pivotally mounted seat back in an automobile seat.

Front seats for passenger automobiles with two doors have pivotallymounted seat backs to permit the seat back to be pivoted to fold theseat backs forward over the seat bottoms for greater access through thecar doors to the rear seat. To reduce the hazards associated withpivotally mounted seat backs, passenger automobiles include lockarrangements to prevent the seat backs from pivoting during travel, forexample, upon hard or sudden braking. When a lock or latch is includedin a vehicle seat, the lock must be actuated to allow folding of theseat back forward over the seat bottom.

In the prior art, seat lock arrangements are both manually andautomatically actuated. A manually actuated seat lock arrangementgenerally includes a lever or a button that controls the seat lock.Automatic seat lock arrangements typically include a solenoid controlledby the automobile door to operate a latch bolt for locking the seat backwhen the seat back is in the seat forming position and the car door isclosed and to unlock the seat back when the car door is open. LobanoffU.S. Pat. No. 2,815,796 discloses a solenoid actuated lock arrangementusing a latch bolt in the manner described.

The automatic lock arrangements known in the prior art using a latchbolt include apertures aligned with the bolt to receive the bolt whenthe seat is latched. The present invention provides a solenoid actuatedlatch without requiring that mating parts be aligned prior to lockingthe seat back. Accordingly, the instant latch reduces the criticality ofalignment characteristic of the prior art automatic lock arrangements. 7

Solenoid operated lock arrangements known in the prior art operateindependently of any manual latch that may be included to lock the seatback in the seat forming position. The present invention provides alatch that is operated by a solenoid or in the alternative by a manuallyoperated latch release means. Thus, the present invention provides theconvenience of a solenoid controlled automatic latch with a manualoverride to permit the seat to be folded forward by manually actuatingthe latch even though the solenoid has not actuated the latch.

In the present invention, a mounting bracket including a slot having anelongated portion and an end portion substantially transverse to theelongated portion carries a pin in the slot to contro whether the seatback, when in the seat forming position, is locked or free to pivot. Theseat back includes a latch arm disposed adjacent the end portion of theslot in the mounting bracket when the seat back is in the seat formingposition. Accordingly, if the seat back is in the seat forming positionand the pin is in the end portion of the slot and misaligned with theelongated portion of the slot, the seat back is locked and it is notpossible to pivot the seat back. On the other hand, when the pin isaligned with or in the elongated portion of the slot, the latch armengages and moves the pin in the elongated portion of the slot when theseat back is pivoted A solenoid and a manually operated release leverare connected with the pin to independently control its position whenthe pin is in the end portion of the slot in the mounting bracket. Inthis manner, when the seat back is in the seat forming position and thepin is positioned in the end portion of the slot to lock the seat back,the seat back can be unlocked by the action of the solenoid or by theaction of the manually operated release lever.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seatassembly including a seat back pivotally connected to a support meanswherein there is connected with the seat back a latching means includinga first member having a slot with an elongated portion and an endportion generally transverse to the elongated portion, a second memberdisposed adjacent the end portion of the slot when the seat back is inthe upright position, and a pin that prevents the seat back frompivoting when the seat back is in the seat forming position and the pinis in the end portion and misaligned with the elongated portion butpermits the seat back to pivot when the pin is aligned with theelongated portion and wherein the pin, when in the end portion of theslot, is aligned with the elongated portion of the slot by an automaticactuation means.

' It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch for aseat back of the type described wherein a pin carried in a slot in amounting bracket is effective to lock the seat back in the seat formingposition and wherein a solenoid connected with the pin is effective tounlock the seat back when the solenoid is energized and wherein amanually operated release means connected with the pin is effective tounlock the seat back when the manually operated release means isactuated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch of thetype described wherein the mounting bracket is a bifurcated bracketstraddling a latch arm attached to the seat back wherein the latch armis disposed adjacent the slot in the mounting bracket and whereinthelatch arm engages the pin carried in the mounting bracket when the seatback is in the seat forming position to prevent the seat back from beingpivoted when the pin is in theend portion of the slot and misalignedwith the elongated portion of the slot and wherein the latch arm engagesthe pin and moves the pin along the elongated portion of the slot whenthe pin is aligned with or in the elongated portion of the slot topermit the seat back to be pivoted.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch of thetype described wherein a spring misaligns'the pin with the elongatedportion of the slot when the pin is in the end portion of the slot andneither the solenoid nor the manually operated release means isactuated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a latch for aseat back in an automobile seat of the type described wherein a doorswitch is operative to energize the solenoid when the automobile door isopen and to deenergize the solenoid when the automobile door is closedto thereby control whether the seat back is locked or unlocked.

The instant invention, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, can be best understood by reference to the followingdescription of the preferred embodiment, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an automobile seat assembly with a pivotally mounted seat backincluding a latch according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged and detailed view of the latch of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a view of the latch of the present invention in the unlockedposition as effected when the solenoid is energized;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the latch of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the latch of the present invention showingthe pin and mounting bracket in detail; and,

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic for two seat-latch solenoids in atwo-door automobile.

Reference should now be made to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1wherein an automobile seat assembly 10 is shown including a seat bottom12 and a pivotally mounted seat back 14 including a latch arm 16attached to the seat back 14. The latch arm 16 supports the seat back 14and is rigidly attached to the seat back 14. A latching means or latchgenerally shown at 18 is connected to the seat back 14 selectivelypreventing and allowing pivotal movement of the seat back 14. The latch18 is operative to lock the seat back 14 in the upright, seat formingposition by preventing movement by the latch arm 16 which in turnprevents movement by the seat back 14. When the seat back 14 isunlocked, the seat back 14 can be pivoted into a forwardly foldedposition over the seat bottom 12; for example, the seat back 14 isunlocked when the seat back 14 is pivoted forward for greater access tothe rear seat (not illustrated).

The design and operation of the latch 18 are fully illustrated in FIGS.2 through 5. The latch arm 16 is pivotally mounted by a rivet 20 to asupport means or mounting bracket 22 (FIG. 2) comprised of two members24 and 26 which straddle the latch arm 16 (FIG. 5). The bifurcatedmounting bracket 22 thus straddles the latch arm 16 which rotates withinthe mounting bracket 22 when the seat back 14 is pivoted forward overthe seat bottom 12.

The members 24 and 26 of the mounting bracket 22 have aligned slots 28(FIG. 2). The slot 28 in the mounting bracket 22 has an elongatedportion defined by two arcute concentric cylindrical surfaces 30 and 32and an end portion substantially perpendicular to the elongated portiondefined by two substantially vertical planar surfaces 34 and 36. V

A pin 38 in the form of a rivet extends through the mounting bracket 22and is carried in the slot 28 in the mounting bracket 22. Accordingly,the latch 18 comprises a first member, the mounting bracket 22, a secondmember, the latch arm 16, and the pin 38. In the operation of the latch18, the pin 38 is movable in both the elongated portion and the endportion of the slot 28. The latch arm 16 includes an integral extensionhaving an edge 40 disposed adjacent the planar surface 34 of the slot 28in the mounting bracket 22 when the seat back 14 is in the seat formingposition such that when the pin 38 is in the end portion of the slot 28and misaligned with the elongated portion of the slot 28, the seat back14 is locked in the seat forming position by the coaction of the edge 40of the integral extension, the pin 38, and the planar surface 36. Ifforce is applied to the seat back 14 to pivot it forward over the seatbottom 12, the edge 40 engages the pin 38 and urges it against thesurface 36 which prevents movement by the pin 38 or the edge 40 which inturn prevents rotation by the latch arm 16 and the seat back 14.

An automatic actuation means in the form of a solenoid 42 is operativeto align the pin 38 with the elongated portion of the slot 28 when thepin 38 is in the end portion of the slot 28. When the solenoid 42 isenergized to align the pin 38 with the elongated portion of the slot 28,(FIG. 3). the integral extension of the latch arm 16 can be pivot aboutthe rivet 20. When the seat back 14 is folded forward over the seatbottom 12, the integral edge 40 engages the pin 38 and moves the pinalong the elongated portion of the slot 28. Accordingly, when thesolenoid 42 is energized, the seat back 14 is unlocked and the seak back14 is freely pivoted to fold the seat back 14 forward over the seatbottom The solenoid 42 has an armature 44 including a tapered section 46and a shoulder 48 which cooperate with a lost motion means or releasebracket 50 connected with the pin 38 to actuate the latch and unlock theseat back 14 when the solenoid 42 is energized as shown in FIG. 5. Therelease bracket 50 is captured by a rivet head of the pin 38 andconnected to the solenoid 42 by a flange 51, having a hold through whichthe tapered section 46 of the armature 44 of the solenoid 42 passes,comprising a lost motion connection between the release bracket 50 andthe solenoid 42.

A biasing means or return spring 52 is connected with the releasebracket 50 to misalign the pin 38 with the elongated portion of the slot28 when the pin 38 is in the end portion of the slot 28 and the solenoid42 is deenergized. As shown in FIG. 4, the return spring 52 is hookedover an integral tab 54 of the member 24 and onto the release bracket50. Accordingly, when the solenoid 42 is energized and the releasebracket 50 is actuated to align the pin 38 with the elongated portion ofthe slot 28, the spring 52 applies a restoring force to the releasebracket 50 and the pin 38 is moved into misalignment with the elongatedportion of the slot 28 under the influence of this restoring force whenthe solenoid 42 is deenergized.

A manually operated release means or lever 56 is pivotally riveted tothe mounting bracket 22 as shown in FIG. 3. A tab 60 integral with themember 24 of the mounting bracket 22 limits the travel of the manuallyoperated release lever 56 when the release lever 56 is not actuated. Atab 62 (FIG. 5) formed integrally with the release bracket 50 provides alost motion connection between the manually operated release lever 56and the release bracket 50. Accordingly, when the solenoid 42 isdeenergized, the release bracket 56 can be actuated to align the pin 38with the elongated portion of the slot 28 to unlock the seat back 14 topermit the seat back 14 to be pivoted forward over the seat bottom 12. Arelease lever return spring 64 (FIG. 3) preloads the manually operatedrelease lever 56 and retains it in the normally unactuated position. Ifthe manually operated release lever 56 is actuated to unlock the seatback 14, the release lever return spring 64 returns the manuallyoperated release lever 56 to the initial position in contact with thetab 60 when the operating force applied to the manually operated releaselever 56 is removed.

An electrical schematic for a two-door vehicle having a latch mechanismaccording to the present invention for each front seat is shown in FIG.6. The solenoid 42 is the solenoid for the latch mechanism describedabove for the seat assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. A second solenoid66 actuates an identical latch mechanism installed with the seat back ofthe second front seat (not illustrated) of the automobile. Two doorswitches 68 and 70 are operated by the vehicle doors such that arespective switch is closed if the associated door is open and is openif the associated door is closed. The vehicle battery 72 completes thecircuit schematic. If either vehicle door is open, both solenoids 42 and66 are energized by the battery 72 and both seat latches are actuated tounlock both front seats to permit each to be pivoted forward over itsrespective seat bottom. When both vehicle doors are closed, bothsolenoids are deenergized and the latching mechanisms for the two seatbacks remain locked until and unless the manually operated release leverof the associated seat is actuated to unlock that seat or until avehicle door is opened.

Although the foregoing has proceeded in terms of a particular preferredembodiment, it should be understood that various changes andmodifications could be engrafted thereon by one skilled in the artwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A seat assembly, comprising: a support means; a seat back pivotallyconnected to said support means for movement between an upright, seatforming position and a forwardly folded position; a latching meansconnected to said seat back selectively preventing and allowing pivotalmovement of said seat back, said latching means including a first memberhaving a slot with an elongated portion and an end portion generallytransverse to the elongated portion, said latching means including asecond member disposed adjacent the end portion of the slot when saidseat back is in the seat forming position, and said latching meansincluding a pin extending through the slot for preventing pivotalmovement of said seat back when said pin is in the end portion of theslot and misaligned with the elongated portion of the slot and forallowing pivotal movement of said seat back when said pin is alignedwith the elongated portion of the slot; and automatic actuation meansfor automatically actuating said latching means to align said pin, whenin the end portion of the slot, with the elongated portion of the slot.

2. A seat assembly as in claim 1 including a manually operated releasemeans to actuate said latching means to align said pin, when in the endportion of the slot, with the elongated portion of the slot and a lostmotion means connecting both said automatic actuation means and saidmanually operated release means with said pin.

3. A seat assembly as in claim 2 including a biasing means connectedwith said lost motion means to misalign said pin with the elongatedportion of the slot when said pin is in the end portion of the slot.

4. A seat assembly as in claim 3 wherein said manually operated releasemeans is pivotally mounted to said first member of said latching means.

5. A seat assembly as in claim 4 wherein said automatic actuation meansis a solenoid.

6. A seat assembly as in claim 5 including a dooractuated switch tocontrol the energization of said solenoid.

7. A seat assembly as in claim 6 wherein the armature of said solenoidincludes a tapered section and wherein said lost motion means includes aflange with a hole through which said tapered section is passed toeffect the lost motion connection between said solenoid and said lostmotion means.

8. A seat assembly as in claim 7 wherein said lost motion means includesa tap providing a lost motion connection between said lost motion meansand said manually operated release means.

9. An automobile seat as in claim 8 wherein said first member of saidlatching means is a bifurcated mounting bracket; said econd member ofsaid latching means is a latch arm attached to said seat back; saidsupport means is integral with said bifurcated mounting bracket suchthat seat back is pivotally connected to said bifurcated mountingbracket for movement between an upright, seat forming position and aforwardly folded position; the end portion of the slot in saidbifurcated mounting bracket is a substantially vertical slot; theelongated portion of the slot in said bifurcated mounting bracket is asubstantially arcuate slot; said lost motion means is a bracket; saidbiasing means connected to said lost motion means is a spring; and saidmanually operated release means is a lever pivotally mounted on saidbifurcated mounting bracket.

' i '1 i i

1. A seat assembly, comprising: a support means; a seat back pivotallyconnected to said support means for movement between an upright, seatforming position and a forwardly folded position; a latching meansconnected to said seat back selectively preventing and allowing pivotalmovement of said seat back, said latching means including a first memberhaving a slot with an elongated portion and an end portion generallytransverse to the elongated portion, said latching means including asecond member disposed adjacent the end portion of the slot when saidseat back is in the seat forming position, and said latching meansincluding a pin extending through the slot for preventing pivotalmovement of said seat back when said pin is in the end portion of theslot and misaligned with the elongated portion of the slot and forallowing pivotal movement of said seat back when said pin is alignedwith the elongated portion of the slot; and automatic actuation meansfor automatically actuating said latching means to align said pin, whenin the end portion of the slot, with the elongated portion of the slot.2. A seat assembly as in claim 1 including a manually operated releasemeans to actuate said latching means to align said pin, when in the endportion of the slot, with the elongated portion of the slot and a lostmotion means connecting both said automatic actuation means and saidmanually operated release means with said pin.
 3. A seat assembly as inclaim 2 including a biasing means connected with said lost motion meansto misalign said pin with the elongated portion of the slot when saidpin is in the end portion of the slot.
 4. A seat assembly as in claim 3wherein said manually operated release means is pivotally mounted tosaid first member of said latching means.
 5. A seat assembly as in claim4 wherein said automatic actuation means is a solenoid.
 6. A seatassembly as in claim 5 including a door-actuated switch to control theenergization of said solenoid.
 7. A seat assembly as in claim 6 whereinthe armature of said solenoid includes a tapered section and whereinsaid lost motion means includes a flange with a hole through which saidtapered section is passed to effect the lost motion connection betweensaid solenoid and said lost motion means.
 8. A seat assembly as in claim7 wherein said lost motion means includes a tap providing a lost motionconnection between said lost motion means and said manually operatedrelease means.
 9. An automobile seat as in claim 8 wherein said firstmember of said latching means is a bifurcated mounting bracket; saidecond member of said latching means is a latch arm attached to said seatback; said support means is integral with said bifurcated mountingbracket such that seat back is pivotally connected to said bifurcatedmounting bracket for movement between an upright, seat forming positionand a forwardly folded position; the end portion of the slot in saidbifurcated mounting bracket is a substantially vertical slot; theelongated portion of the slot in said bifurcated mounting bracket is asubstantially arcuate slot; said lost motion means is a bracket; saidbiasing means connected to said lost motion means is a spring; and saidmanually operated release means is a lever pivotally mounted on saidbifurcated mounting bracket.